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The WORLD CUP FEVER

The Chill Master

The Chill Master

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No. 22 Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich/Germany

Why he's ranked: It says much about Lahm's supreme talents that he has excelled at Bayern Munich this season in both a holding midfield role and his more familiar full-back berth. Now 30, this relentlessly consistent performer will be playing in his third World Cup this summer, and if he leaves Brazil as a winner, his legacy in the game will be secured.



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With more than 100 caps for the German national team, Lahm brings experience and leadership with him to Brazil.


Key stat: Lahm, one of the best passers in the game, completed the most passes of any player in Bundesliga this season (2,111) and the most by any player over the past three seasons (6,424). He also has the second most passes by any player in the past two World Cup tournaments (757).

What the experts say: "Lahm showed his intelligence in the ease with which he adapted to playing as a full-back on either flank or in the midfield. He has the role of leading a German team with great quality but needs to add the relevant international titles." - Paulo Cobos, ESPN Brasil

"He's one of the world's best left-backs. And right-backs. And central midfielders too. Lahm's capacity to adapt to new positions is matched only by his freakish consistency. 'He can't play badly,' his youth coach, Hermann Gerland, once said." - Raphael Honigstein
 
The Chill Master

The Chill Master

Messages
735
Reaction score
2,652
Points
253
No. 21 Diego Costa, Spain/Atletico Madrid

Why he's ranked: A steady diet of goals, movement, power and aggressive forward play helped Costa guide Atletico Madrid to La Liga title glory, and while a summer move to Chelsea might be on his agenda, his first task will be confirming his rise up the game's order at this summer's World Cup. A powerful frame, dogged determination and willingness to engage in battle in the pursuit of victory are among Costa's finest qualities.

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The Brazilian-born Spanish international might have a little something to prove when he heads to this year's World Cup.
Key stat: Costa scored a career-high 36 goals in all competitions with Atletico Madrid this season.

What the experts say: "[He is] blessed with a warrior attitude and determination to dare and win at all costs. One of the things, beyond his goals, that elevates Diego Costa is that he's open to learning and to improving. He knows his temperament needs discipline and development, and he's doing something about it." - Graham Hunter
 
The Chill Master

The Chill Master

Messages
735
Reaction score
2,652
Points
253
No. 20 Mario Balotelli, AC Milan/Italy

Why he's ranked: This maverick striker tends to make as many headlines off the pitch as on it, and his reputation for being something of a wild child overshadows his outrageous talents that could put him onto the A-list of the game's modern strikers if he matures in the coming years. Impressive in the Euro 2012 finals, now this AC Milan hit man gets his first crack at World Cup glory.

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The polarising Mario Balotelli always has the ability to change a match quickly.
Key stat: Balotelli led the Italian Serie A this season with 152 total shots taken, 26 more than second-place Carlos Tevez.

What the experts say: "He has a bomb of a right foot, yet possesses a lot of technique. Is crucial to the Azzurri." - Gustavo Hofman, ESPN Brasil

"His fitness is a big question mark. But in good condition, Balotelli is perhaps the most complete striker in the world: Great with the ball in the field, great with the ball in the air." - Paulo Cobos, ESPN Brasil
 
The Chill Master

The Chill Master

Messages
735
Reaction score
2,652
Points
253
No. 19 Radamel Falcao, AS Monaco/Colombia

Why he's ranked: The Colombian nation held its collective breath as news of Falcao's cruciate knee ligament injury emerged in late January. A comeback won't happen. His injured knee will keep him out of the World Cup. Despite a furious attempt to return in time for the tournament, he wasn't fit enough to play and was excluded from his country's final roster. When healthy with River Plate, Porto, Atletico Madrid and now Monaco, Falcao has offered what has been required of him: goals, goals and more goals.

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Falcao just wasn't fit enough to make Colombia's final roster.
Key stat: Set a record for most goals scored in a single European tournament. 17 goals in the 2010/11 Europa League for FC Porto.

What the experts say: "His fitness is a big question mark. But in good condition, he is perhaps the most complete striker in the world: great with the ball in the field, great with the ball in the air."- Paulo Cobos, ESPN Brasil
 
The Chill Master

The Chill Master

Messages
735
Reaction score
2,652
Points
253
No. 18 Edinson Cavani, PSG/Uruguay

Why he's ranked: This former Napoli scoring threat was cast into the role of secondary striker behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Paris Saint-Germain this season and may face a similar issue lining up alongside Luis Suarez for Uruguay this summer (assuming Suarez is fit after undergoing knee surgery May 22). That said, Cavani's brand of high-octane, endlessly energetic, intelligent forward play makes him a threat to any defender in the game.



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Edinson Cavani may have to shoulder the load for the Uruguay attack if Luis Suarez can't play due to injury.


Key stat: T-2nd in goals in the French Ligue 1 with 16; only Ibrahimovic had more goals this season.

What the experts say: "Cavani is a powerful forward who doesn't lack technique and wins games with his never-surrender attitude. He has plenty of goals to offer but, at the same time, can make a very important contribution when his teams switch into defensive mode. Together with Luis Suarez, forms probably the deadliest attacking duo in the competition." - Vito De Palma, ESPN Argentina
 
The Chill Master

The Chill Master

Messages
735
Reaction score
2,652
Points
253
No. 17 Arturo Vidal, Juventus/Chile

Why he's ranked: This dynamic midfielder has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, with Manchester United among the clubs reportedly keen to lure him away from Juventus, and starring displays at the World Cup will do his marketability no harm. A complete midfielder, he is as good a passer as he is a tackler, and Chile need him to confirm his A-list status is justified at Brazil 2014.

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Arturo Vidal is a versatile midfielder who can switch from offense to defense seamlessly.
Key stat: Led Italian champions Juventus in goals scored (21), assists (13) and chances created (164) in Serie A over the past two seasons.

What the experts say: "More than a midfielder, he is an 'all-fielder.' Vigorous when defends, he always has an eye to score. He is essential in Juventus and Chile." - Leonardo Bertozzi, ESPN Brasil

"For Juventus, he is a midfielder that attacks a lot. For Chile, is the brain of the team. Defends, creates and attacks very, very well." - Gian Oddi, ESPN Brasil

"A very complete midfielder who contributes both in defense and attack, where he often appears in goal-scoring positions, Vidal has had an amazing season and looked in top form for the World Cup, but is now working against the clock to recover fully from knee surgery." - Vito De Palma, ESPN Argentina
 
The Chill Master

The Chill Master

Messages
735
Reaction score
2,652
Points
253
No. 16 Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern Munich/Germany

Why he's ranked: There have been suggestions in some quarters that Schweinsteiger does not fit into the ethos of coach Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, but that seems hard to believe. Powerful, rugged, solid on the pass and mobile for a man of his build, this midfielder needs a sprinkling of glory on the international stage to confirm his greatness.

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Bastian Schweinsteiger is an injury concern but now should still form a big part of Germany's World Cup plans.
Key stat: Most touches by any player over past two World Cup tournaments (1,106).

What the experts say: "The brain of Germany's midfield and the man with required experience that can lead the team to the title." -- Paulo Vinicius Coelho, ESPN Brasil

" 'Schweini', as they call him in Bavaria, is the pacesetter of this Germany team. His crisp passing and knack for scoring important goals has made him the most consistent central midfielder of his generation." -- Raphael Honigstein
 
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